2015 hurricane season begins, travel insurance in demand

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Jun 01, 2015, 11:00 ET

WARWICK, R.I., June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip reports an increase in demand for travel insurance this summer. As the 2015 hurricane season begins, licensed travel insurance agents at InsureMyTrip estimate a 20 percent jump in call volume from travelers seeking insurance protection. Agents say the top concern of summer travelers is bad weather affecting travel plans. Hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30.

"Despite early indications by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of a below-normal 2015 Atlantic hurricane season, the steady rise of inquiries suggest travelers remain cautious when it comes to the potential impact weather may have on travel plans. Travelers understand that Mother Nature is often times unpredictable and buying insurance early --- before a storm is named --- is a smart way to protect their trip investment," says InsureMyTrip CEO Jim Grace.

MORE: What if my trip gets interrupted by a storm?

Here are some examples how insurance enables travelers to cancel a trip due to severe weather-related concerns under the trip cancellation benefit:

Cancel trip due to weather: when common carriers such as airlines and cruise lines cease service due to weather.

Cancel due to a hurricane warning: when a destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning.

Cancel because of storm damage at destination: when a hotel, resort, or vacation rental is devastated and made uninhabitable by a storm.

Cancel because home is destroyed by storm: when the home of a traveler sustains destructive storm damage.

Cancel trip for any reason: this is an optional time-sensitive benefit that allows travelers to cancel a trip for any reason.

According to InsureMyTrip, 80 percent of customers will choose a comprehensive travel insurance policy for summer travel. This policy provides a variety of benefits including medical coverage, emergency travel services, baggage protection, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

Tip: Travelers concerned about hurricanes should purchase travel insurance early. Once a storm starts forming, it is considered a foreseeable event and insurance coverage will no longer be available to cover losses related to that storm.

MORE: How can I cancel a trip for any reason?

Travelers interested in learning more about protection plans for travel during hurricane season can visit www.InsureMyTrip.com or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance agent.

ABOUT INSUREMYTRIP:

InsureMyTrip compares travel insurance products from the most trusted providers in the industry.

InsureMyTrip's powerful unbiased comparison engine and thousands of reviews enable travelers to quote and buy the right travel insurance plan. The site is supported by award winning customer service and travel insurance agents licensed in all 50 states.

Featured by Consumer Reports, and listed as a helpful website by the US Federal Consumer Information Center.

InsureMyTrip travel insurance experts are featured in national publications including Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Travel + Leisure.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip